A Letter to Gloucester Township's Administration

The following letter was sent to Gloucester Township's Administration and Council.

Dear Mr. Cardis, Mr. Carlamere, and Members of the Council,

We are writing to express our concerns regarding the handling of the proposed sale of Gloucester Township's sewer system to New Jersey American Water for $143 million. Specifically, we are troubled by what appears to be a lack of transparency and resident involvement in decisions regarding the potential allocation of funds from this sale.

At the public hearing on August 8, 2024, when asked who would benefit from the sale of the sewer system, the response provided was that the sale would primarily be used to eliminate township debt and provide tax relief. Other points, such as guaranteed employment for sewer employees and free sewer lateral cleanouts, were mentioned at separate meetings. However, we were surprised to see additional significant commitments posted on the township’s website without prior discussion or clear communication with residents. These commitments include:
- A Recreation Enhancement Program with $10-15 million set aside for recreational projects.
- Expanded Senior Citizens and Arts/Cultural Activities throughout Gloucester Township.
- Additional Funding for Police and First Responders for support apparatus and other assistance.

It is our understanding that these additional points were not discussed with the residents or presented to the council for consideration. This raises concerns about the proper role of the administration in making such commitments. We are aware that there is supposed to be a separation of powers between the administration and the council. If these decisions were not presented to the council, our elected representatives, it is unclear how the administration can make commitments on how to spend taxpayer money. This situation suggests a need for greater oversight and involvement from the council to ensure that decisions are made transparently and in accordance with proper procedures.

While these benefits are described as contingent on the referendum’s approval, it is important to consider how making these commitments before the referendum has passed could affect public perception and the voting process.

Additionally, we have received reports indicating that the Business Administrator has been in contact with leaders of local sports organizations, discussing potential access to funding from the $10-15 million recreational allocation—again contingent on the referendum’s approval. If accurate, this outreach could be perceived as an attempt to influence the outcome of the vote by offering potential financial benefits to specific groups within the community. This raises ethical concerns that warrant careful consideration.

Given these concerns, we respectfully request clarification on the following:
1. When and by whom were the decisions made regarding how the funds from the potential sewer sale would be allocated?
2. Why were these decisions made without involving or informing the people of Gloucester Township?
3. Why were the additional points (recreational projects, expanded senior and cultural activities, and police/first responders funding) not discussed with residents or presented to the council before being posted on the township’s website?
4. What steps will the administration take to ensure that all decisions regarding the use of these funds are made transparently and with full resident and council involvement?

The people of Gloucester Township deserve to be fully informed and involved in decisions that will impact our community for years to come. It is crucial that transparency, accountability, and proper governance procedures are followed as this process moves forward.
We look forward to your prompt response on this important matter.

Sincerely,
The Gloucester Township Observer Team
GTObserver.com